Since their development in 1902, modern air conditioning units are efficient and relatively trouble-free. Like other major appliances, the equipment can experience mechanical or electrical problems. This guide provides an overview of some of the most common problems that can occur with a central HVAC system. Northwest Indiana homeowners can troubleshoot their systems to identify potential reasons for performance issues. While homeowners can resolve some of these problems, others require the assistance of an experienced heating and air conditioning specialist. An air conditioning system may fail to operate at the beginning of the cooling season. The unit will not come on if the thermostat is defective or set improperly. Another potential issue may be that your unit is not receiving electrical power. Verify that your thermostat selector is set in the “cooling” position. Some systems have a built-in timer that delays the activation of the equipment. Wait several minutes for the timer to complete its cycle, and adjust the thermostat several degrees below the temperature inside your home.

If the thermostat requires calibration, contact a service professional. You should also verify that the appliance is receiving power. Locate your main fuse panel, and determine whether the fuse or circuit breaker for the equipment has blown or tripped. Replace a blown fuse with one that has the same amperage, or reset the circuit breaker. Some units have a breaker panel located near the outside unit. Verify that the breaker inside this electrical box is on or the quick disconnect is inserted properly. If the system continues to have electrical problems, you need the assistance of an experienced repair technician. One possible reason that HVAC systems blow warm air is dirty filters. The system is producing cold air but it cannot flow through the ductwork. Clean air filters protect your equipment and help it perform properly. HVAC systems work harder as the outside ambient temperatures approach triple digits and may not cool as effectively as you desire. You should also verify that the outside unit is running.

If the outdoor unit is on, ensure that leaves and other debris are not obstructing the airflow. An air conditioner that blows warm air can be a sign of insufficient refrigerant. Only licensed air conditioning repair technicians can replenish HVAC coolant.musty smell in ac in car An improperly sized air conditioner will cycle on and off frequently if it is too large for your home. recovering freon ac unitThe system will quickly reach the setting on your thermostat and signal the equipment to cycle off. 2 ton rheem air conditioner priceWhen the temperature drops below the setting on the thermostat, the unit will come on again. Rapid cycling can also occur when an air register is blowing cool air directly on the thermostat. Several issues can cause a unit to runs continuously.

The equipment could be too small to cool the volume of air contained in your home. Another potential problem is that the inside unit turns off but the outside fan continues to run. Turn the thermostat fan switch to the “Off” position. If the fan is still running, you should stop power from flowing to the system. To perform this task, it may be necessary to turn off the circuit breaker supplying the equipment. Low refrigerant levels and faulty relay switches can cause a HVAC to run continually. An experienced HVAC technician can correct these problems. The inside component of an AC system sits inside of a drip pan, which is designed to collect water if the unit’s condensation drain line becomes clogged. This problem can occur when insects build their nest inside the drain line. If water is visible in the pan, you can blow compressed air inside the pipe to remove the obstruction. Prepare a solution that consists of a 50-50 ratio of bleach and water, and pour it into the drainpipe to eliminate mold and mildew.

Clearing the clogged drain line may require the assistance of an air conditioning repair technician. Various problems can cause an AC unit to freeze. One possible reason is improper airflow, which can prevent a HVAC system from working properly. Check your filters and clean or replace them as required. The coils should be free from dirt, debris and other obstructions as well. HVAC systems can freeze if the blower fan is malfunctioning. The cold air will remain inside the unit and freeze the coil if the fan is not working. A faulty control relay can also cause the unit to freeze. The outside unit will continue to run even though the inside unit is off. While a homeowner can clear away debris and change the air filters, replacing electrical components requires the expertise of a certified technician. According to heating and cooling industry studies, regular air conditioning unit maintenance checkups can prevent most HVAC performance issues. Our friendly and knowledgeable Meyer’s technicians can perform seasonal tune-ups on your system.

Routine care and maintenance prevents common HVAC problems from becoming major repair expenses. Our team can identify and correct issues that prevent your equipment from performing as designed. Contact our office to schedule a service call with one of our knowledgeable technicians. We offer comprehensive maintenance plans and are available 24 hours a day for emergency service as well.Electrical System DesignMost RV’s and camper trailers utilize the same types of electrical systems as those used for an average small home. But in addition to the 110 volt electrical supply, there may also be lights, fans, a refrigerator, or other electrical devices which use a 12 volt supply, like that of a car or truck. A 12-volt DC system powers the RV refrigerator to keep food cold while the RV or camper trailer is moving from place to place. The same goes for the lights and fans. It also keeps the on-board batteries fully charged. This system relies on the 110-volt AC electrical power supply for amperage.

It is possible to pull a 12-volt power supply from the RV or camper trailer's electrical system or 110-volt campsite power supply. Then the 110-volt supply can be stepped down to 12 volts after it is run through a power converter and to a particular appliance. Most of RV systems will switch from the 110-volt AC to the 12 volt DC supply automatically when there is a power interruption. These two electrical systems are treated independently from each other when diagnosing electrical problems, except for determining power to the converter. 110 volt power-- > converter-- > 12 volt power-- > 12 volt breaker box -- > refrigerator or lights As in a home, the 12-volt system has its own set of breakers to control each circuit. The lights, fans, or refrigerator may each be on their own circuits, depending on the amperage required. If the converter is supplying 12 volts to the breaker panel and the breakers test positive for voltage, this leaves the wiring or the particular appliance at fault.

Essential Tools and ResourcesIf you are not familiar with electrical wiring or troubleshooting electrical systems there are some very good books available to help you understand and repair common RV electrical problems. I would recommend RV Electrical Systems: A Basic Guide to Troubleshooting, Repairing and Improvement to any novice and experienced electrician alike. It will be an enormous aid to understanding RV electrical systems. Another must for tracing down electrical problems is a voltage meter. This handy tool will allow you to check the circuits for continuity and for the correct voltage required for each breaker. A simple test light can be used but will not test for broken circuits caused by bad wiring or other electrical problems. Both of these tools are inexpensive to own and will more than pay for themselves over time. The voltage meter can be used for home electrical problems as well as any other electrical related problem. Both are offered on this page for a reasonable price.

Troubleshooting Common 110-Volt ProblemsThe 110 volt outlets used in some RVs and camper trailers are prone to shorts because of the way they are installed. Some are merely clipped onto the wiring by cutting into the wires. These types are notorious for not working correctly. Replace these types of outlets with standard house types to put and end to loose connections. Since some of the walls are so thin, a smaller receptacle box may be required for the outlet to fit flush in the walls. Ground fault interrupter outlets are another common cause of electrical problems. These are located in places where a possibility exists of someone touching them with wet hands. They automatically break the circuit when moisture comes in contact with the outlet to prevent shock to the person touching them. A simple reset button must be pressed for the circuit to once again be completed. On occasion they will need to be replaced or the other outlets on the line will not work either. Pay close attention to the instructions when replacing these GFIs.

In older RVs and camper trailers you may still find fuses instead of circuit breakers. Since the advent of many new electrical devices, these older fuse systems may not provide enough amperage to handle a microwave or other high amp appliance without blowing a fuse or kicking a breaker. Simply replacing the fuse or breaker with a higher amp substitute may be all that’s required. Replacement of the entire breaker box may be the only option remaining if this doesn’t solve the problem. The newer RVs and camper trailers may have two RV A/C rooftop units which require more amperage than the older models to operate without kicking the standard 30-amp power supply used by many campgrounds. Fortunately, many campgrounds and RV parks now provide 50-amp service for these types of units. When making reservations or checking in, be sure to ask about the availability of a 50-amp hook-up if you own a unit with multiple A/C units. Keeping your electrical systems in good and safe working order insures a trouble free camping trip with no sudden power outages to ruin the trip.

Most problems can be repaired easily if you understand how the system works. RV electrical manuals along with a few inexpensive tools are well worth the cost of their purchase. If you are completely confused by electrical wiring there are also some very good basic books to start you off. It isn’t very hard at all to check electrical circuits, switches or outlets with an inexpensive voltmeter. Just remember, when touching any wires be sure the power to that particular circuit is off. If in doubt, turn off the main breaker or unplug the RV or camper trailer from the power supply. Replacement Power ConvertersPower converters for all makes and models of motorhomes and camper trailers available. More by this AuthorCampers & MotorhomesRV AC And Camper Rooftop Air Conditioner Maintenance, Troubleshooting, and RepairRV AC rooftop maintenance, troubleshooting and repairs for campers, motorhomes, or any other RV air conditioner repairs. FAQS and solutions to many camper AC problems.